Tampa Bay Infrastructure and Development Guide

Last updated: November 5, 2026

Short answer: Road, airport, and flood projects change how a Tampa Bay neighborhood works: commute routes, construction noise and detours, and how often streets take water. Effects differ by project, phase, and block. This guide lists sourced projects by county and type. It is not a prediction of property value.

Ask how a project affects a specific address

What major infrastructure projects are happening in Tampa Bay?

As of November 5, 2026, FDOT District Seven reports Priority 1A of the Westshore Interchange reconstruction underway since January 2026, with a published Phase I construction cost of $653.3 million. The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is building the $362 million South Selmon Capacity Project. FDOT reports the new Howard Frankland Bridge general-use lanes opened in 2025 and express lanes opened in summer 2026. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority is building Airside D at Tampa International Airport, with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion and a 2029 opening. In Pinellas County, Crystal Beach drainage is in design, McKay Creek lake controls have design funding, and FEMA grant notices propose floodproofing for pump stations and traffic signals.

How is each project card built?

Every card uses the same fields: official name, agency or owner, type, county and corridor, status, timeline as stated by the source, budget only when the agency or owner publishes one, my analysis for homeowners, source publication date, verified date, official map, and related articles. When a field is not available from the source, the card says so. All sources were checked on November 5, 2026 (ET).

Which transportation projects are underway in Hillsborough County?

Westshore Interchange reconstruction (I-275/SR 60)

Official project / agency / type: Tampa's Westshore Interchange (I-275/SR 60) Safety and Operational Improvements, FDOT numbers 447107-2-32, 447107-2-52, 447107-3-52, 447107-4-52 / FDOT District Seven / Transportation
County / neighborhood / corridor: Hillsborough County. Westshore and airport approach. I-275 from the Howard Frankland Bridge to east of Lois Avenue, and SR 60 from I-275 to north of Spruce Street.
Status and timeline (per FDOT): Construction. Priority 1A design-build phase started January 2026. FDOT does not publish a Priority 1A completion date. Future phases are scheduled for funding in 2030 and 2032. Contractor materials have cited December 2029 for the current phase. That date is contractor-reported, not FDOT-published.
Published budget: $653.3 million (Phase I), per FDOT.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: Expect multi-year lane and ramp closures near Westshore and the airport approach, with noise and detours that vary block by block. Street reconnections at Reo, Occident, and Trask Streets change local access once built. Check current closures before you schedule showings or a move.
Source date / verified: FDOT factsheet last updated July 21, 2026. Project page date not shown. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Use the project map on the FDOT project page. Standalone official map URL not verified.
Sources: FDOT project page, FDOT factsheet.
Related news: Westshore Interchange update 2026

South Selmon Capacity Project

Official project / agency / type: South Selmon Capacity Project / Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) / Transportation (toll expressway)
County / neighborhood / corridor: Hillsborough County. South Tampa, near Bayshore Boulevard. Lee Roy Selmon Expressway from west of Himes Avenue to east of Florida Avenue, about 4.5 miles, inside THEA right-of-way.
Status and timeline (per THEA): Under construction. THEA described construction as starting in 2026, with kickoff messaging tied to National Infrastructure Week, May 18 to 22, 2026. Completion date: not published on the pages checked.
Published budget: $362 million, funded through THEA toll revenues. THEA states no state or federal tax dollars are used.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: Homes near the expressway may see noise-wall construction, underpass detours, and temporary travel changes. THEA's stated aims include keeping cut-through traffic off Bayshore Boulevard and adding residential noise walls. Stormwater upgrades inside the right-of-way do not by themselves change a FEMA flood map.
Source date / verified: THEA update published May 1, 2026. Project site date not shown. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Use the corridor information on southselmoncapacity.com. Standalone official map URL not verified.
Sources: southselmoncapacity.com, THEA update (May 1, 2026).
Related news: Selmon Expressway project and South Tampa

Howard Frankland Bridge replacement (I-275)

Official project / agency / type: I-275 (Howard Frankland Bridge) new southbound bridge, 422904-2-52-01 / FDOT District Seven (Tampa Bay Next) / Transportation
County / neighborhood / corridor: Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. I-275 across Old Tampa Bay from 4th Street (Pinellas) to SR 60 (Hillsborough), about 5.8 miles.
Status and timeline (per FDOT): Construction, major pieces open. Started spring 2020. General-use lanes opened 2025. Express lanes opened summer 2026, with tolls starting August 22, 2026. Shared-use path open sunrise to sunset. FDOT estimated completion: late 2026.
Published budget: $973.4 million construction cost, per FDOT.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: For commuters between Pinellas and Tampa, the new span is already in use, and remaining work can still bring night closures. The express lanes are tolled, which belongs in a commute budget.
Source date / verified: Project page date not shown. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Use the project map on the FDOT project page. Standalone official map URL not verified.
Sources: FDOT project page, Tampa Bay Next.
Related news: None published yet.

Tampa International Airport Airside D

Official project / agency / type: Airside D / Hillsborough County Aviation Authority / Transportation (aviation)
County / neighborhood / corridor: Hillsborough County. Tampa International Airport campus between Airsides C and E, near Westshore.
Status and timeline (per the airport): Under construction. Groundbreaking December 18, 2024. About 75 percent complete targeted for late 2027. Substantial completion targeted for late 2028. Opening to the public in 2029.
Published budget: Estimated $1.5 billion, per the airport.
Airport-reported project description: Per the airport, Airside D is a new 16-gate airside with international arrivals capacity.
Source date / verified: Page date not shown. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Official map: not available on the page checked.
Sources: tampaairport.com/business/airside-d.
Related news: None published yet.

Which private development projects are reshaping downtown Tampa?

Water Street Tampa Phase II

Official project / owner / type: Water Street Tampa Phase II / Strategic Property Partners (private) / District development
County / neighborhood / corridor: Hillsborough County. Downtown Tampa, Water Street and Cumberland Avenue.
Status and timeline: A 13-story retail and parking building is under construction, with 2028 completion reported in local coverage. A 33-story, 452-unit apartment tower is proposed, with groundbreaking planned for spring 2027 and completion targeted for 2029, per developer statements reported by Business Observer on July 21, 2026. Treat the tower as proposed until construction starts.
Published budget: Not published on the owner's Project Progress page checked November 5, 2026. Press-reported developer investment figures are not used here.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: Expect temporary street, sidewalk, and parking changes around Cumberland Avenue and Water Street. More retail, dining, and a planned one-acre park add walkable options for downtown residents once open.
Source date / verified: Business Observer July 21, 2026. Owner page date not shown. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Official map: not available on the page checked.
Sources: waterstreettampa.com/project-progress, Business Observer (July 21, 2026).
Related news: None published yet.

What flood mitigation projects is Pinellas County working on?

Crystal Beach drainage and roadway improvements

Official project / agency / type: Crystal Beach Drainage and Roadway Improvements, project 003896A / Pinellas County Public Works / Flood and stormwater
County / neighborhood / corridor: Pinellas County. Unincorporated Crystal Beach, west of Palm Harbor. Generally Crystal Beach Avenue to Florida Boulevard, and St. Joseph Sound to Avery Bayou.
Status and timeline (per Pinellas County): Design. Design 2023 to 2027, bidding and procurement 2028 to 2029, construction 2029 to 2031. Project information meeting planned for early 2027. On June 16, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Resilient Florida grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (item 26-0827A).
Published budget: Total not published on the county project page. Funding sources listed: Penny for Pinellas, a state appropriation, and a Florida Resiliency Program grant.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: Crystal Beach is low-lying, and this work targets ponding and street flooding. Construction is years out, so near-term buyers should plan around current drainage. A county drainage project does not automatically change a FEMA flood zone.
Source date / verified: County page last updated November 2, 2026. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Use the project area description on the county project page. Standalone official map URL not verified.
Sources: pinellas.gov project page.
Related news: Resilience grants and real estate equity

McKay Creek operable lake controls

Official project / agency / type: McKay Creek Operable Lake Controls and SCADA Project, PID 004134A / Pinellas County Public Works with FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) / Flood and stormwater
County / neighborhood / corridor: Pinellas County. Taylor Lake and Walsingham Reservoir, McKay Creek watershed (Largo area).
Status and timeline (per Pinellas Legistar): Design funded. The Board approved the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program agreement on August 11, 2026 (File 26-1132A). Construction funding depends on FDEM approval. Construction start: not published.
Published budget: Phase I design: federal award $313,404.36, county match $145,211.41, total $458,615.77. Construction budget: not published.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: This is a watershed operations project. It lets the county lower lake levels before heavy rain. The county's 2025 engineering report projects about 105 buildings removed from the 100-year, 24-hour floodplain if built as studied. That is a projection, not a FEMA map change in effect today.
Source date / verified: Final action August 11, 2026. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Official map: not available on the record checked.
Sources: Pinellas Legistar File 26-1132A.
Related news: FEMA flood maps in a nearby Pinellas watershed (Alligator Creek)

Sanitary sewer pump station floodproofing

Official project / agency / type: HMGP-4828-218-R (182) Pinellas County Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Infrastructure Retrofit / Pinellas County Utilities with FEMA and FDEM / Flood resilience (utilities)
County / neighborhood / corridor: Pinellas County. 35 pump stations, including sites in Belleair, Largo, Indian Shores, Redington Beach, St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and Crystal Beach.
Status and timeline (per public notice): Proposed. Joint FEMA and FDEM notice published November 3, 2026, with comments due November 18, 2026. Funding is conditional on compliance reviews. Construction schedule: not published.
Published budget: Not published in the notice.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: The plan raises electrical panels above Base Flood Elevation so stations keep running in storms. Pump stations that keep running after a storm protect public health and help people get back home. It does not change your flood insurance zone.
Source date / verified: Published November 3, 2026. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Official map: not available. The site list is in the notice.
Sources: Pinellas County public notice.
Related news: None published yet.

Barrier islands traffic signal floodproofing

Official project / agency / type: HMGP 4828-211-R (295) Pinellas County Barrier Islands Traffic Signals Infrastructure Retrofit / Pinellas County with FEMA and FDEM / Flood resilience (transportation)
County / neighborhood / corridor: Pinellas County barrier islands. 31 signal cabinets on Gulf Boulevard, Pasadena Avenue, Blind Pass Road, causeway intersections, and other listed sites.
Status and timeline (per public notice): Proposed. Notice published September 17, 2026, comment deadline October 8, 2026. Funding conditional on compliance reviews. Construction schedule: not published.
Published budget: Not published in the notice.
Jonathan's analysis for homeowners and buyers: Signals that keep working after a storm help evacuation and re-entry traffic on the beaches. For island owners this is a recovery-access issue, not a change to coastal flood maps.
Source date / verified: Published September 17, 2026. Verified November 5, 2026.
Map: Official map: not available. The site list is in the notice.
Sources: Pinellas County public notice.
Related news: 2026 hurricane prep and mitigation grants

What about Hillsborough County flood resilience projects?

I have written about Hillsborough County's flood and resilience funding, including work affecting Ruskin, Gibsonton, and Apollo Beach. Those projects do not have cards here yet because their official county sources have not been rechecked for this page. Read the articles for background, and confirm figures with the county before relying on them:

When are these projects expected to finish?

This list follows the completion date each source states. Projects with no published date are listed last.

Howard Frankland Bridge: late 2026 (FDOT estimate)
Water Street Phase II retail and parking building: 2028 (local coverage)
Airside D: substantial completion late 2028, public opening 2029 (airport)
Water Street Phase II residential tower (proposed): 2029 (developer, via press)
Crystal Beach drainage: construction 2029 to 2031 (Pinellas County)
Westshore Interchange Priority 1A: no FDOT date. Later phases are scheduled for funding 2030 and 2032
South Selmon Capacity Project: completion not published
McKay Creek lake controls: construction start not published
Pump station and traffic signal floodproofing: proposed, no schedule published

What does Florida's 2026-27 transportation budget fund?

On June 29, 2026, the Governor signed the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. According to the Governor's Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Highlights (page 19), it includes $15.9 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation, $14.4 billion for the State Transportation Work Program, $4.9 billion for highway construction and maintenance including 181 new lane miles, $1.4 billion to resurface 2,622 lane miles, $917.8 million for repairs to 38 bridges and replacement of 21 bridges, $374.7 million for aviation, $155.5 million for seaports, and $186.8 million for trails. FDOT's Adopted Five-Year Work Program is dated July 1, 2026. FDOT's Moving Florida Forward page describes $4 billion from General Revenue Surplus for selected state roadway projects. Sources: Governor's budget release (June 29, 2026), FDOT Moving Florida Forward, checked November 5, 2026.

How do infrastructure projects affect nearby homes?

Road and bridge projects change access. Better merges and capacity can cut commute delay once construction ends, while construction brings noise, dust, night closures, and detours. Sale prices respond to many factors at once, including inventory, condition, schools, insurance, and local demand. I do not publish an appreciation estimate for any project on this page. For how these questions fit long-term ownership, see my guide to building wealth through homeownership.

Does flood mitigation change my flood zone or insurance?

Drainage upgrades, lake controls, and floodproofed utilities can reduce how often streets and yards take water. Flood zones and insurance requirements still follow FEMA maps and your lender's rules, and county projects do not rewrite FEMA panels by themselves. Drainage and floodproofing work can reduce flood risk without lowering your insurance premium. Premiums are set by your insurer and, for federally backed policies, by FEMA's rating factors, not by whether a county project is underway. Get a quote for the specific address before you budget. See Florida flood zones for Tampa Bay buyers and the FEMA flood insurance trap. Flood resilience is also part of protecting equity. I cover that in resilience grants and home equity and on the wealth-building page.

How can I check projects near a home I want to buy?

FDOT District Seven project pages and alerts at fdottampabay.com.
Pinellas County capital projects at pinellas.gov/projects.
THEA projects at tampa-xway.com.
Airport construction at TPA's Airside D page.
Walk the street at peak traffic and after a heavy rain.

How were these projects selected and sourced?

Methodology: I included a project only when an agency or owner page, board record, or public notice could be checked on November 5, 2026. Budgets appear only when the agency or owner publishes them. Contractor, developer, or press figures are labeled or left out. Each card's homeowner section is my analysis, not a prediction of property value. Hillsborough flood projects will get cards once their county sources are rechecked.

How I help with Tampa Bay neighborhoods

I work across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. When we look at a neighborhood, I bring nearby road, drainage, and development projects into the same conversation as price, insurance, and payment. Realty of America handles the real estate side and PMF, Inc. handles mortgage origination. They are separate companies. You don't have to use both. Any loan approval is conditional until all underwriting conditions are met.

Ask how a project affects a specific address · Community guides · Ask Jonathan · Contact

Frequently asked questions

What major infrastructure projects are happening in Tampa Bay right now?

Active work includes the Westshore Interchange Priority 1A reconstruction, the South Selmon Capacity Project, remaining Howard Frankland Bridge work with express lanes already open, Airside D at Tampa International Airport, Water Street Phase II construction with a proposed residential tower, and Pinellas drainage and flood-mitigation projects listed above.

When will the Westshore Interchange be finished?

FDOT lists a January 2026 start for the current phase and schedules later phases for funding in 2030 and 2032. FDOT's project page does not publish a Priority 1A end date. Contractor materials have cited December 2029. Recheck the FDOT project page for updates.

When does the new Tampa airport terminal open?

Airside D is scheduled to open to the public in 2029. Groundbreaking was December 18, 2024. The airport's published milestones target about 75 percent completion in late 2027 and substantial completion in late 2028.

What is Water Street Tampa Phase II?

Phase II is the next wave of private mixed-use development in downtown Tampa's Water Street district. A retail and parking building is under construction with a 2028 completion target in local coverage. A 33-story, 452-unit tower is proposed, with developer statements pointing to a spring 2027 groundbreaking and a 2029 finish.

How do road projects affect property values near my home?

They can change access, commute time, noise, and construction disruption, and those factors matter to buyers. Many other factors also matter. I do not publish project-specific appreciation predictions.

What flood mitigation projects is Pinellas County working on?

Crystal Beach drainage is in design, with construction shown for 2029 to 2031. McKay Creek operable lake controls are in funded design. Separate FEMA grant notices cover proposed floodproofing for 35 sanitary sewer pump stations and 31 barrier-island traffic signal cabinets. Status differs by project.

How can I find out about infrastructure projects near a home I want to buy?

Start with FDOT District Seven, Pinellas or Hillsborough project pages, THEA, and the airport authority. Then walk the street during peak traffic and after rain. On a consultation call, I can help you read those sources against a specific address.

Jonathan Loescher, Tampa Bay Realtor and Mortgage Loan Originator (SL3546365, NMLS# 2621894). Real estate services through Realty of America. Mortgage services through PMF, Inc. NMLS# 1980. Realty of America and PMF, Inc. are separate companies. You don't have to use both. Equal Housing Opportunity. Any loan approval is conditional until all underwriting conditions are met.

This page is general information, not a prediction of property value, and not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Project details come from the sources linked on each card and can change.